Electric-wave telegraph.



Patented Jan. l, l90l. W. S. JOHNSON &. C. L. FURTHER.

ELECTRIC WAVE TELEGRAPH.

5 Sheeta8heat 2,

lApplic'ation filed Feb. 16. 1900.)

,w A A No. 664,869 Patented Ian. I. I90l. w. s. JOHNSON & c. L. roams.

ELECTRIC WAVE TELEGRAPH.

(Applicoh'nn filed Feb. 16. 1900.)

5 Shoots-Shut 3,

No. 664,869. Patented Ian. I, I901. W. S. JOHNSON & C. L. FORTIER.

ELECTRIC WAVE TELEGRAPH.

A licmon filed Feb. 16. 1900.) (No Model.) 5 Shasta-Shoot 4.

'No. 664,869. Patented l an. l, mm. W. s. JOHNSON & c. L. FORTIER.

ELECTRIC WAVE TELEGRAPH.

(Application filed F6). 16. 1900.) (No Model.) 7 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

6 an we 143664) gz q mveweo J 5. W

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VARREN S. JOHNSON AND CHARLES L. FORTIER, OF M ILW'AUKEE, WISCON- SIN, ASSIGNO'RS TO THE AMERICAN WIRELESS TELEGRAPH COMPANY,

OF 'SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC-WAVE TELEG RA'PH.

SPECIFICATION forming part oiLetters Patent No. 684,869. dated January. 1, 1901. Application filed February 16, 1900.,5erlel No- 5,426. (No model.)

To all whom it may coneerru. Be it known that we, WARREN'S. JOHNSON and CHARLES L. FORTIER, citizens of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the.

to the trans'mission of messages or signals by means of electric waves or oscillations of highfrequency which are propagated through space-or conductors.

The-main objects of the invention are t0 simplify and improve the construction, increase the efficiency, and render more positive and reliable the operation of apparatus of this class.

It consists in various improvements in the sending and receiving mechanism and in the construction and arrangement 6? component p'artsot' the apparatus, as hereinafter particularly described, and pointed out in the claims. In complete apparatus of this kind there are both sending'and receiving mechanisms'at, each station. The sending mechanism usuallycomprises a spark or wave producing device, sometimes called an oscillator, and an operating lover or key. .The receiving mechanism usuallycomprises asensitive variable contact, called. a coherer, in a. local circuit including a source of current and an electro magnetic relay, and an auxiliary electric circuit including a more powerful source of current, an electromagnetic signal recording or indicating instrument, and electromagnetic means for jarring the coherer and rendering it non-conductive. Associated with the send-- ing and receiving mechanism is an insulated wave propagating and intercepting conductor which is manually connected either with the oscillator for transmitting or with the co herer for receiving messages or signals. The sensitive portion of thc' receiving mechanism is the coherer, which usually consists of n ndu-conductingtube containing a metallic "for some time if it is left undisturbed.

powder or other equivalent granular conduct- 5o ing substance. The efiiect ot the electric waves or pulsations originating at the sending-station and intercepted byorcon'centrated upon the insulated conductorat the receiving-station is to bring the particles of the me- 5 tallic powder or other granular substance of the associated coherercloser together in such a way as to render it a comparatively .good conductor, whereas in its normal condition it is a very' poor conductor'of electricity. The

changes thus produced in the cohererfrom a poorto a good conductor cause the relay to act and to close the auxiliary circuit containing the electromagnetic signal recording or indicating instrument. When the metallic o powder or other granular conducting substance is once cohered, it will under ordinary conditions continue to be" a good conductor If, however, it is tapped or-jarred, its conduc- .70

tivity willusually be destroyed or greatly-re: duced. This jarring has heretofore been effected by, some mechanical means, such as a small hammer striking the tube containing the powder. This hammer has usually been operated by an electromagnet connected with or controlled by the coherer in such a way that the electric impulses or waves which reudcr the powder of the coherer conductive will put the hammer in motion to'separate'o'r-de- 8o cohere the powder Such means fordecohering the powder and rendering it non-conductive are found To be uncertain and unreliable. It frequently occursthat the blow intended toseparate and decohere the powder tends rather to pack it closer. Besides, the hammer mechanism must be very delicately iadjusted to produce the desired results; As

the sending and receiving instruments must necessarily be in. close proximity with each other, it has been found that with apparatus heretofore employed the powerful impulses produced by the associated sending instrument have very injurious etfects on the coherer. Ithasalso been found thatacurrentof 5 suflicient power to properly operatethe electromagnetic signal recording or indicating instrument in the auxiliary circuit detrimention, of a coherer and a modified decohering device; and Fig. 13 is a view of another modi-- inductionjcoil A, the primary of which is ineluded-in a local circuit with a battery B'or other source of current, an operating-lever or Morse key 0, and a vibratin; interrupter D. The terminals of the secondary of the induc tion-coil are connected with two insulated metallic spheres or conductors E E, which areseparated from each other by a small space, These spheres orconductor's, which constitute the oscillator or electric-wave ex .citer, are made adjustable, so as to vary the space between them, according to the strength of the current, the size of the induction-coil, the distance that messages or signals arev to be transmitted, and-other conditions. The receiving mechanism coinprises'a' coherer or wave-detectinginstrument F,- having one or morese'nsitivevariable contacts capable of beingfrend'ered conductive by Hertzian waves or electric oscillations of high frequency and non-conductive by jarring or agitation, means for jarring or agitating said variable contact or contacts, and a local circuit of which said contact or contacts form a part, including a battery G or other source of current and an electropnenmatic signal recording or indicating instrument H. 1 is an insulated aerial conductor associated with the sending and receiving mechanism and serving when connected with the transmitting mechanism to concentrate andpropagate or transmit the. electric-waive impulses and when connected with the receiving mechanism to intercept and concentrate such impulses. 'Jis a switch the pivoted lever or arm j of which is electrically connected with the conductor I and is.provided"'wit h a spheroidal contact j" between two stationary spherical contacts j and 7". The fixed or stationary contacts are made adjustable, so as to vary the space between them and the movable contact j. The contact L7 is j'eleetrically connected with one of the spheres or conductors E of, the oscillator .or wave exciting instrument. The other contact j is electrically connected with the variable contact orcontacts of the coherer. The other sphere E or conductor of theoscillater preferably has a ground connection e.

K'is a fluid-pressure motor the piston ormovablepart In of which is connected with the lever-anmj of the: switch. 7: is a spring actingin opposition to the fluid-pressure in said water and normally holding the movable oontact'j' ot said switch in, engagement with the fixed contact j, whereby tlie'aerial conductor Ids connected with the wave-detect lug instrument orcohererof the receiving mechanism. L designates a compressed air reservoir or other. source of flui'dvpressure.

It is connected by a pipe l'with the variable contact or contacts of thecoherer F and with the motor K, tbgwhich the supply of the fluid- .at their lower ends in'said-base-plate.

pressure medium is controlled by a valve M, operatively connected with the key 0 by means of a spring or yielding connection 0.

N is ap'in-vaive in the. pipe-[between the cohererand the motorK for restricting or retarding the. compressed-air or other fluidpressure medium to the variable contact or contacts of the coherer.

Referring to Figs. 2 to-B, inclusive, inconnection with'Fig. 1', we preferably'employ in our apparatus can part of. 'the receiving mechanism a doubleor multiple coherer hav-:

ing two or more variable contacts, e qh consistingof an insulating tube. or receptacle containing metallic ;;powder on filingsor other suitable granulsrconductiug substance capable of being made conductive when subjected' .to the influence -.ot Hertziau: waves and non-conductive by jarring or agitation.

In our preferred form of. wave-detecting instrument or coherer, as shown in Figs. '2, 3, and .6, two or more verticallyfdisposedcavities or receptacles 1 1 areformed -for theme tallic powder'or other granular substance in a block 2 o f hard rubber'orothersuitable-ire sulating material. Metallic rods 01'' plugs 3,

'4 4, and 5 5 inserted in and insulatedfrom each other by the'block2 constitutetwo pairs of electrodes-for each of, the-receptacles 1. 1,

each projecting at one end'into contact with the metallic powder or other granular iconducting substance contained in. said recep tacles. The rod 3, formiug'one' of the eleceach other and with an insulated post-7.

The n pper ends of the receptacles 1 arec lo'sed by caps 8, which are perforated and provided with screens 9, .as shown in'Fig'. 0, toperniit.

the passage of air through the-powdered or granular material contained "in. said'jrecep .tacles and at the same time to confine said po wde r or granular material therein; The lower ends of said'receptacles, are provided -with screens 10, whichsupport the powder or I00 trodes for bothreceptacles 1-1, isel ectrically I granular material, and they are closed below said screenswithjreceesed plugs-lhwhich form valve: chambers; The plugs 11 are screwed into'or otherwise secured'in a metal plate 12, and they are formed with central holes or. passages which counec'tjrthe valvechambers at their uppenends witli chambe'rs The I lower ends of Baiilmlmmbe'rs 'iinflhebase plate are closed by plugs 13, which are perforated in line with the holes in the plugs 11:. The screens 9 and 10'1nay be conveniently made of silk gauze, l4 arevalves havingseats around the holes in the .uppeiirecessed ends of the plugs 11 and stems which pass dow nwardl y through said plugs and the plugs 13 and lit closely-Vin the plugs 13, so as t'o'pre vent the escape of air orother fluid, The

lower-protruding ends of the 1 stems or said valves are pivotally conn cted with lheemls' of a rocking lever lfi which is lulcrumed at the center in abracket on the under side of thcbasc-plate 12. 'lhe'inelzil plugs 4 4 oppos'iteth'e ends of the rod 3 are electrically connect-ed with the plate 12 by screws 16. The posts 7 are secured in an insulating-base 17, and the plate .12 is supported upon posts 18, which are also secured-in said insulating-base 17. Two fluid-pressure motors 19 have their movable 'parts pivotally connected with a frame 20,which is f ulcru med midway between them tea bracket onl he underside of theplate 12. The frame 20 carries a toggle 21, one member of which has a sliding connection and the other member a pivotal connection with said traine, the two members of the toggle being connected by springs 22, which'tend to bend the toggle to its limit in either direction. One

member of the toggle, which extends beyond its pivotal connection with. the frame 21, is

lconnected by a link with one arniof the reels 'ing lever15. The expansion-chamliersof the meters 19 arcfornied bycavitics in the under sideof the plate 12 and by flexiblediaphragms closing said cavities. A fluid-supply passage 23, formed in the'pla te -12, communicates through 'ports adjust-ably restricted by pin valves 24 with said expansion chambers, as shown in Figs: 2' and 5, audit is connected by a passage through one of the posts 18, as shown in Fig. 2, and by a'pipel', as shown in Fig. 1,with the reservoir L or other source of fluid-pressure. The supply of'air or other fluid prcssnro medium to both motors through the passage 23in controlled and adjusted by a valve :25. The plate 12 is alsoformedveitb passages 26, leading from the expansionchambers of the motors 19 into the openings in said plate below the plugs 11. The pipe I, which leads from the reservoirLand is con h trolled by the valve M, connects through branches with the valve-chambers in the upper ends of said plugs '11. v

Referring to Figs. 9, 10, and 11, the signal recording or indicating instrument [Icemprises an electromagnet'O, a sounderP and a fluid-pressure motor-Q, the operation of which is controlled by-valvemechanism R,

which is in turn controlled by said electro: magnet. The magnet 0 preferably 'hastwo separated coils, one of which is connected with one of the posts 7- ofthe wave-detecting in-- im ity therewith, is attached a pad or valve 30,-

controlling the outlet or waste port of sweatpension-chamber 31. The lnovable'wall or part of the expansion-chamber 31 forms or way.

To the otherprovided with a valve which controls the waste port orpassag'e 32 of the motor Q. Supin Fig. 1, by the pipe 1' with the compressedair reservoir L or other source offluid-pres- The waste passage or 'port of the expansion-chamber 31 is of'smaller-area than the waste port or passage 32 ofthe motor Q, whereby a very slight movement or change in the adjustment of the delicate electrically actuated valve 30 'is. made to positively and promptly control oraifect the' operation ot the motor Q with the expenditure of a very little: energy-and withont appreciable efiect on the sensitiveness of the mechanism. The

movable part of the motor'Q is connected 1 with a- .lever37,'provl'ded'withfrontand back stops 38 and 39, like or-sim ilar to the lever of a Morse sounder jori recorder. A spring 40 acts on Said lever in opposition to the fluidpressure in motor Q and when said motor is depleted moves and holds said leveragainst its front stop, as show'n iu Fig. .11. By means of this'lever the electric-wave impulses which alfect the variable-contact or contacts of,

the coherer areindicated by sound or may be registered on a strip of paper in' the usual To prevent corrosion of. or injury to the metallic powder or? other sensitive variable contactof the coherer, the compressed a,ir.or

other gas by which decoherenceis effected is passed throngha receptacle 5, as shown in Fig. 1, containing calcium chlorid orother equivalent material for depriving the air or other gas of moisture.

The apparatus hcre'inbefore described opcrates asJollowB; By depressing the key 0 of the transmitting instrument, according to the. usual practice -i n transmitting messages in ordinary .telegraphy, the circuit. is closed through the primary or the-induction-coil A,

battery B, and interrupter D, whichautbmatically and rapidly makes and breaks the circuit. An alternating current of high potential is thus induced in-the secondary of the induction-coil, and sparks or discharges are its thus caused to take place between the metal balls E E and electrical oscillations of high frequency, or :Hertzian waves, "so called,

are produced in the. surroundingspace and concentrated upon the conductors coiin'ected with said balls. With each depressionof the key C the valve MQis opened, admittingcoxm pressed air to the motor K and to the coherer. The admission of compressed air to the motor K instantly shifts the movable contact j of switch J into engagementwit'h the fixed contactj, thus electrically connecting the aerial conductor I with one of the balls E of the 0scillator or wave-exciting instrument. "From the aerial conductor I the electric waves or impulses which are set up therein are communicated to the surrounding ether, through which they are propagated, or under certain conditions these waves or impulses may be concentrated upon and communicated todistaut stations by metallic or other suitable conductors. With each depression of the waves which pass through the metallic. powkey by which the electric-wave exciter is put in operation compressed air is admitted tlrough the restricting-valve N-to the mctallic powder cpntai'ned in the receptacles 1 of-the coherer, and such powder is agitated or disturbed and heldin a non-conductive "valve-stem, through which the compressed air escapes fromthe. motor K, allowing the spring is to shift the movable contact j of the switch into engagement with the fixed contact f, thereby reestabiijshing electrical connection between'the aerial conductor 1 and the coherer and putting the apparatus in condition for the receipt of messages or signals from a distant station. The electric waves produced as above explained are interccpted by and concen trated upon the aerial conductor 1 at the receiving-station and by it communicatedv through the associated switch J to the coherer. The effect of these (ler of the coherer between the opposing electrodes 5 5 is to render such powder conductive, thereby closing the local circuit through the other'bppos'ing electrodes 3 and 4 of the coherer, the battery G, and the magnet O.

The magnet being thus energized attracts its armature, moves the valve 310 away from the waste-port of theexpansion-chamber 31, and

allows the air to escape therefrom faster than itcnn enter through its restricted supply-passage 33. The expansion-chamber 31 is thus depleted,causing its movable part to open the waste-port 32 of the motor Q, from which the air is thus allowed to escape faster than it can enter through its restricted suppiypassage 3%. The expansion-chamber of said mo- 'tol-Qheingthusdepleted promptly in response to'the-movement of the valve 30 allows spring 40 to move the sounder-leverB'Z against its front stop 88. The expansion-chambers of .the motors 31. 3nd Q'being constantly supplied with compressed air through the passages 33 and 34 will be normally inflated when their waste ports are closed, which is the normal condition-of the apparatus when the magnet 0 is deenergized, the spring-arma:

and closed.

air is also constantly suppliedto the expansion-chambers of the two decohering-motors 19 th roughthe common supplypassage 23 and the restricted supply-ports opening into said chambers. As the valves 14 are caused toopen and close alternately by the rocking lever 15 and its actuating connections with said 1110- tors, one of said valves being opened when the other is closed, and vice-verse, the wastepassages 26 of said motors leading into the cohererreceptacles will be alternately opened Inthis way the fluid-supply ports of said motors being restricted and of expansion-chamberof one motor will be inflated while that of the other chamber isbeing depleted. The frame 20 will thus be caused to swing .back and forthby its connecirons withthe movable parts of said mo-- tors. This movement-of saidfranie will in turn gradually move the joint connecting the members of the toggle 21 alternately in opposite directions 'past'a straight line intersecting the pivot connections'between the members of the toggle and said frame. the link connection between one member of the toggle and the rocking lever-15 operating during this movement as a fixed fulcrum for said toggle. Upon passing such straight line'in either direction the springs 22 instantly compiete the-bending of the toggle in that direction and operate through the rocking lever 15 to instantly shift the valves 14. The motors 19 are thus caused to exhaust alternately'at intervals through the coherer-receptacles 1 and to produce intermittent ail;- biasts upwardly through the metallic powder contained in said receptacles, thereby rendering it nonconductive.

By restricting the common supply-passage 23 more or less by means of the regulatingvalve 25 the expansiomchambers of the motors 19 may be inflated and said motors caused to operate more or less rapidly, thereby producing the air-blasts through the coherer-receptacles more or less frequently, as

:desired. The apparatus is preferably so constructed and adjusted that momentary de-.

cohering fluid impulses will be produced through each receptacle of the coherer at regularintervals with'periods of rest between such impulses of equal or greater :duration. By providing the coheier with a number of variable contacts which are connected in multiple or parallel in the local circuitwith the battery and signal-indicatinginstrument and arranging the decohering mechanism toact alternately or in rotation upon said contacts, so that while one contact is beingjarred or agitated another will be at rest, apart of the coherer is in condition at all times to respond to a wave impulse. Uncertainty and confusion-in the receipt and indication of signals are thus avoided, and the receiving mechanism is enabled to receive and clearly indicate messages or signals as fast as they can be sent.

smaller area thantheir waste-passages the The momentary depression ofthe key of .the

transmitting mechanism for making dots as well as dashes, accordingto the Morse code,'

produces a series rapid pulsations or undulations; but by reason-.0! the restricted supply-passage of theexpansion-chamber 31, which retards the inflation of. sa'id'cha 'nber', the lever 37 does not respond to. such rapid pulsationsfor undulations which produces, slight'but corresponding vibratory movm nt of the valve 30. The register or g nna r is thus. made to indicate" true-Morse characters certainly and 'p'o'sitively, By the use of coin; pressed air or other fluid pressureamder the control of the'magnet'olorthe operation ofthe register or sounder the disturbing effects "instrument diversion of the wave impulses 'poles'of the battery G.

on thecolierer ofa suificientlystrougauxiliary.

electric current for that purpose are avoided. By separating and. insulating jrom' each other the electrical connections of the coherer with the wave intercepting or. concentrating" conductors and with the local circuit for operating or controlling the signal-indicating through the-connections of the localcircuit and a consequent diminution of their effect upon the cohcrer are avoi ed. Any tendency of the waves to pass fr m. the electrodes 3,- connected with the aerial wire, to either of the electrodes 5, connected with the local circuit, in preference to the opposing electrodes 4, which are connected with the metallic base ofthe coherer or with any'suitable capacity, may be obviated bydirecting the air-blasts by which the metallic powder is agitated through 'a diaphragm having slitsor orifices arranged between adjacent electrodes of the 'coherer. If necessary toprovide for greatercapacity,'tl1e metal base 12 of the coherer may be electrically connected with any con-1 venicnt conducting-body g, having the'requisite area, as showuin Fig. 1.: Anytendency of the waves to pass through either side in preferenceto the other-[side of the local circuit to the battery, the elements of which might serve to. a certain extent as a capacity, is obviated by separating the coils of the magnet 0 and connecting them with opposite The advantages due to the arrangement hereinbefore described of the,electrieal connections-of the coherer may be obtained with a, coherer' having but one receptacle for themetallic powder or one variable cont'acqas shown in Fig; 8, in which the receptacle for holding the metallic powder or other granular'co'nd ucting substance consists of a tube 41' of any suitable nou-conductln materinle' The air-blastor fluid impulses for jarring or'shaking the powder or othervariable contact of the cohercr may be j produced. in-various ways. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 12, in place ofa fluid-pressure motor-for controlling a constant -air-supplyand admittlug it at proper intervals to the coherer fluid impulses may be produced through the cospring orf'other m'otor 43. The advantages hereinbet'ore explained of hererjby meansof a piston'42, actuated by a a coherer having a'nupnberof variable contacts connected iii-parallel with tlie-llocal circuit and a.decoheringdevice-arranged to-jar .or [shake said Variable. contactsalternately or insuccession may be secured by other means than the intermittent-fluid-impulses illustrated in Fig. 13, a ha|n'|ner ortapper 44, operated by; any-suitable motor, such as a spring-motor.- 45, is .e iranged to alternately "ring nd decohering the powder in one 're-' cept.aole, .wh-ile' it is at'reat in'theother recap tacle; w I

Variouschangesin thedetails of' construc tion'an'd arrangement of the several pa'rtsof the apparatusmaylbe made without depart. 4

7 ing' from th I principle-and intended scope of our-invention. T A we-claim- A 1. In an instrument for recording the passsage ofelectric .Waves',.a wave-intercepting conductor, a suitable variable resistance consaid circuit and. its connections being jade;

of current for said circuit and a's'uitableel'ec' v tromagnetic device in saidcircuit, whereby are made to increase-,the conductivitypt said "variable resistanceand to increase thetlo'w I of current in said circuit-and through the electro magnetic-mechanism to indicate the interthe purposes s'et'forth.

2. In ,a-telegraphie receiver, a variable re- .sistance,-a suitable connection to said variable resistance whereby electrical impulses strike the'coherer-receptacles 46; thereby jar.-

ception of said waves, substantiallyas' and for hereinbeloredescribed,- 'iFor exzim'ple,- as

ne'e'ted with saidconductor, an electric circuit connected withrsaid. variable resistance,

V 9S pendent of saidcondpctorcon-nection,asource electric waves intercepted'by said conductor from a distance increase the conductivity of said' variable resistance, *a local" electric circuit of which said variable 'resistance forrns a part, a source of elcctricity for, said circuit,

an'electromagn'etic indicatinggdevice in said circnit,'and suitable mechanism for reducing tivity is restored, substantially as and for the" purposes set'forthj.

In an elect-ric nation of a coher," "electrically con nected with .a wave-intercc" g'jc'onduoto'r and with a local-circuit inclii vvherer adapted to subject the coherer tofluid v asourcefotr current and .& wave-indicatinginstrument, and a decowave detector .th'e com bidisturbance and thereby restore-it to its nor: electrodes and including asource of'current' ina-l condition of non-conductivity, substanand-a wave-indicating instrument, and a dctiallyhs and for the purposes-set forth; coherer operated independently of the wave 7o 5. In an electric-wavedetector the'combiimpulses and adapted to produce intermit- 5 nationofncohererelectrically connected with tent fluid impulses by which the powdered or a wave-interceptingconductor, a dec'oheror granulated substance of the cohcrer is ren-.

operated independentlyof the wave impulses derednon-conductive at intervals, substanand adapted to produce fluid disturbance by .tially as and fox-the purposes setforth. 7; which-the coherer is restored 'to' its normal 11. In anelectric-wave detector the combi- 1o condition of non-cond activity, substantially nation of acoherer provided withinsulated as andfor the purposes set forth. electrodes, wave conc entrating ,conductgns 6. In .an electric-wave detector the combif connected Withapair of said electrodes and nation of acohererelectricallyconnected with. .a local circuit-connected with another pairof 80 a wave-intercepting conductor and-witli-a iosaid electrodes'and including a sourceof curr cal circuitincluding a source-of currentand 'rent and a wave-indicating instrument, suba wave-indicating instrument, 'and a deco-, stantially as and for the purposes set'forth'. borer operated independently of the wave 12. -In an electric-wave detector thecgnn'bi-jimpulses and adapted to produce fluid disnation of a coherer' onsis-ting of a receritacle 8,5 turbance by which the cohcrer is restored to containing a loose iiowdered or granulated. 2o itsno'rm'al condition oi'non-conductivity,subconducting substance, and provided with in;

stantially as audforthe purposcssetforth. "sulated electrodes,-wav *coucentrating con- 7. In an electric-wave detector the combiductors-co'nnected with no pair o'fsaid elecnation of-a coherer provided with a number trodes, and a. local circuit connected with an 90 of separate electrodes, a wave-intercepting other pair of said electrodes and including a'.

conductor electrically connected with one of source ofcurrent and. a wave-indicating; i'n said electrodes anda' local circuit electrically strument, subs'tantially as and for. the purconnected with two other electrodes of saidv poses set forth. coherer separate and distinct from the elec- 13. In an electric-wave detector-the cornbir 93 trode of the wave-intercepting conductor, said nation of -a coherer having a'number. of vscircuit including'a source of current and ariable contacts each electrically connected wave-indicating instrument, substantially as witha wave-intercepting conductor and with and for the purposes set forth. a 'local'circuit including a source ofcurrent' 8. In an electric-wave detector the combianda.wave-indicatinginstrument.and means *0- nation of'a cohererconsisting'of a receptacle for alternatelyor successively subjectlngsaid 3 containingapowderedorgrannlated conductvariable contacts to fluid disturbance and ing substance andprovided with a number of rendering themhon-condu ctive,substantially separate electrodes in contact with the powas and for the purposes set f0 th, dered or granulated substance, a wave-inter- 14. ln an electric wave dete tor the combir03 cepting conductor connected with one of the nation of a-coherer-havingfa' number of 'va-- 4o electrodes and a local circuit connected with riable contacts ea'ch'cousisting of a receptacle other electrodes of said cohe'rer, said circuit containinga powdered orgranulated conduct including a source of current and a \vave-ini ng substance and each eleictrically connected dicating instrument, substantially as and for with a wave-intercepting conductora'nd with no the purposes set forth. 4 a local circuit including-a source of current 9. In' an electric-waveindicator the combiand a wave-indicating instrument, and means nation of a coherer consisting of .a receptacle for alternately orsuccess'ively subjecting the, containing a powdered or granulated 'conpowdered or gran ulated substance'of the sow-- ducting substance, and provided with anumeral variable contacts tofluid disturbance 5 her of insulated electrodes in contact with whereby said contacts are rendered non-con- 0' said substance, a wave-interceptingconducductive at "intervals, substantially as and for tor connected with one of said electrodes, a the purposes setforthr.

local circuit connected with other of said 15. In an electric-wave detector th'ecombielectrodes and including a source of current. nationofacohererconsisting of a receptacle x and a wave-indicating instrument, and ade-- containinga powdered orgranulatedcohduct 5 coherer adapted to subject the said powdered in'g substance and provided withascreen and (ii-granulated substance to fluid disturbance means for producing at intervals fluid unwhereby the granules are separated and the pulses th roughsaid screen, whereby said powconductivityof the coherer is'destroyed at dered or granulated substance isagitated and x intervals, substantially-as and for-the purrendered non-conductive at such intervals,

to poses set forth. substantially as and for the purposesset'forth.

10. In an electric-wave dctectorthccoinbi- 16. In an electric-wave'detector the' combination of a coherer consisting of arcceptacle nation of a number of variable contacts each containing a powdered orgranulatedconductprovided with fluid connections, valves conx3e ing substance, and provided with insulated; trolling said connections and a motor adaptelectrodes, a waveintercepting conductor ed to open and close said ,valves at Interconnected with one of the electrodes and a vale, substantially asand for the purposes set local circuit connected with-other of said forth;

17.. In an electric-wave detector the combi-,-

- natio n. of a coherer electrically connected with a Wave=intercepting conductor'and with alocal' circuit including a source of. current, a wave-indicating instrument; having a fluid. actuating connection, a valve controlling said connection and, an electro magnet included in said local circuit for operating said valve, vihereby-an extra local circuit including a battery and magnet for operating the wave indicating instrument is dispensed with andconsequent disturbing effects on the coherer by self induction in said circnit are avoided,

' substantially as and for the pn rposes set, forth.

18. In anelectric-wsve detector the combination of a coherer electrically connected with a wave-intercepting conductor and with a local circuit including a source of current, a wave-indicating instru ment,-a flnid'pressure motor for operating'said instrument, a valve forucontrolling. said motor, a second fluidpressu re motorforoperating said valve, a secondvalve for controlling the second motor,

and a magnet included in saidl'ocal circuitfor operating said second valve, substantially as and for the purposes setiforth.

19, In an electr c waveldete'ctor the com bi.- nation of acohererelectrically con nected with a wave-intercepting cond uctor and with a local circuit including a source of current and a wave-indicating instrument, a fluid-pressu re motor for operating said instrument hav-- ing a restricted fluid-supply connection and awas te-passage'of larger area, a valve controlling said waste-passage, and a magnet in-' cludedin-said local circuit for operating said .valve, substantially as and for'the purposes set forth.

' 20. In an electric-'wavedetcctor the combination of a cohererelectrically connected with a wave-intercepting conductor and with a localycircuitincluding a source of current and a wave-indicating instrument, a fluid-pres- I sure motor for operating said instrument having a restricted. fluid-supply connection and a waste-passage of larger area,- a valve controlling said .waste-passage, a second fluidpressure motor also havinga restricted fluidsupply connection-and a ivastepassage of largenarea than itssupply connection but of smaller area than the waste-passage of the first motor, a. second \'alve .contro lling the waste passage of the second motor and a magnot included in said local circuit for operat- 5 5 jug said second valve, substantially as and for:

is in 'action, substantially as and for poses setlforth. 7 22. In" electricwavetelegraph apparatus the combination of a coherer eicctrically con- .nectedwithaiocal circuitincluding a source of current and a wave-indicating instrument,

ing a wave-producing instrument, an open sting-key and secures of current, a wave intercepting or transmitting conductorand a switch nofinally-connecting said conductor;

the purassociated transmittingimechanism compriswith the coherer and breaking the connect-ion between said conductor and the wave-producing instrument. saidswitch being adapted to automaticallydisebnnect said-conductor.

trom'the coherer and connectitwit-h the wave producing I instrument whenever the circuit is closed by said key, substantially as and. for the purposes set-forth. v

23. In electricwavetelegraph apparatus the combination of aicoherer electrically connected with a local circuit includinga source of cnrrent'and a wave-indicatinginstrnment, associated transmitting mechanism comprisa source of current, a wave, intercepting or transmittingconductor, a switch normally connecting, said conductor with the coheren. V

and adapted to connect it with the inductiom coil, a fluid pressure motor having a' fluid actuating connection, and a valve-controlling .ing an induction-coil, an operatiug-key'and said connection and operati'vely connected,

with said key, substantially as and for the porn; ses set forth.

24, In electric'w wavetelegraph apparatus the combination{ of wave-transmitting-moch anisni comprising 'an operating-key, receiving mechanism comprisin a sensitive varitoo able contacthaving a.-fluid connection and electrically connected with a local circuit which includes a-sourceof current and-a wave recording or indicating device, a wave receiving or'transmitting conductor, a switch normally connecting said conductorwith saidsensitive contact, a fluid-pressure motor for shifting said switch to connect'saidconductor with the wave-transmitting mechanism, and a valve operatively connected with said key and controlling the fluid connection with said motor and. with said sensitive oont'acLv'hereby said conductor is disconnected from the receiving mechanism and connected with the transmitting mechanism and the-sensitive contact is rendered non-conductive whenever the transmitting mechanism is put in opera" tion, substantially as and for the purposes sel forth. l

25. In electrie-wave-telegraph apparatus the combination of a sensitive variable contact electrically connected with a wave-in-' terceptingconductor and with a local circuit 26. In electric-wave-telegraph apparatus the combination of a sensitive variable contact electrically-connected with a wave intercepting or concentrating conductor and Witha localeircuit including a source of cnrrent and an electromagnetic receiving instrument, 8. fluid-pressure inotor having an exhaust connection with said sensitive contact and a valve operated by saidmotor and controlling therelease of the actuating fluid therefrom and its ad mission to said contact, substantially as and. for the purposes set forth.

27. In electricwaye-telegraph apparatus the combination with a wave intercepting-or concentrating conductor and a localcircuit including a source-of current and an electromagnetic recording or indicating instrument, of a coherer provided with two variable contacts.- each-consisting of a receptacle containin g a powdered or gran ulated conducting substance in electrical connection-with said con,- ductor and with the terminals 'of said local circuit, two expansion-chambers each having .a restricted fluid-supply connection and a' waste-passage oi larger area leading into one of the 'coherer receptacles, and valves controlling said waste-passages and operatively connected with movable parts of said expansion-chambers so as to be alternately opened and closed, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

28. In electric wave telegraph apparatus the combination of a coherer provided with two receptaeles,each'con training a powdered or granulated conducting substance constituting a sensitive variable contact in a local circuit including a battery and an electromagneticwavc-indicatingdevice, two expansionchambershaviugfluid-supplyconnectionsand waste-passages leading into the coherer-receptacles, valvescontrolling the passage of the fluid medium th rough saidehambersin' o thecoherer-receptaclesand mechanism operatively connected with movable parts of said expansion -chainbcrs and adapted to alternately and suddenly open and close each valve atintervals and to simultaneously close one valve with the opening or, the other, substantiallyas and for the purposes set forth. t

29. In electric wavetelegraph apparatus ;he combination of acoherer having a number of variable contacts connected in parallel with an electric circuit including a source of currentand a wave-indicating device, fluid connections for decohering the variable contacts, valves controlling said fluid connec-' tionsand-mechanism adapted to automatic- ,ally and'alternately open and closejcach valve at intervals, and to open and close the different valves in rotation,-substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

30. In electric wave telegraph apparatus -'nal of thesource of current and the variable contact, substantially as and for the purposes setforthr 31. In electricwavetelegraph apparatus the combination of acoherer having separate insulated con nections with a wave intercepting or concentrating conductor and with the terminals'of a local circuit including a source of current and a wave-indicating instrument comprising an elect-romagnet having separated coils included in said circuit between said coherer and opposite terminals of said sou rce of current, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

32. In electric-wave-telegraph apparatus the combination of a coherer-consisting of a receptacle containing a powdered or granulated' conducting substance and a device adapted to produce fluid impluses through said powdered or-granulated substance at intervals with periods of rest between them of equal or greater duration, substantially as and for the purposes'set forth;

33. In an electric-wave detector the combination of a -cohe rer electrically connected with a wave intercepting or concentrating conductor and included in a circuit with a source of current anda wave-indicating device, a source of air or other gas pressure connected with said coherer, meaus'controlling the admission of air or other gas to said coherer-and means for depriving the air or other gas supplied to the co'hcrer or moisture, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In witness whereof we hereto afiix'our signatures in presence of two witnesses;

WARREN S. JOHNSON. CHARLES L. FOR'II'ER. Witnesses:

Guns. L. Goss, M. L. EMERY. 

